Member States today expressed their support for the
measures taken by the UK, and reinforced by the Commission, to control the
recent outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease in Surrey. Following an update on the
disease situation by the UK delegation, the Standing Committee on the Food Chain
and Animal Health voted unanimously in favour of a Decision confirming the
measures taken by the Commission in line with EU legislation, with a number of
technical modifications. The Committee agreed that the whole of Great Britain
should continue to be defined as a high risk zone, as requested by the UK
authorities.

Situation update

The UK authorities reported to the Standing Committee on the disease
situation and the measures taken to contain and control the virus. Since 3
August 2007, two foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks have been confirmed, both
within the restricted zone set up after the first outbreak. Animals from the
infected farms have been culled and these holdings are being thoroughly cleaned
and disinfected. In line with the measures set out in the EU foot-and-mouth
disease Directive, a protection and surveillance zones have been set up, in
which movement restrictions and upgraded biosecurity measures are being applied.

High risk zone

At the request of the UK authorities, the Standing Committee agreed that the
whole of Great Britain should remain classified as a high risk zone for the
moment in view of the continued uncertainty about the evolution of the disease
situation and the need to maintain a cautious approach. The Commission and the
UK authorities will keep the situation under review and will work together to
achieve regionalisation as soon as the evidence is available to justify it.

In the Decision some legal aspects related to trade were clarified. It was
confirmed that meat from Northern Ireland, which is outside the high risk zone,
will be allowed to transit through Great Britain, so long as the necessary
precautionary measures are adhered to.

Investigating the source of the outbreak

The UK also provided the Commission and Member States with an update on the
investigations being carried out into the source of the FMD outbreak. The
Commission welcomed the effort being made to rapidly identify the source, and
encouraged the UK to continue its investigations on this matter.

Next steps

The Decision endorsed by the Standing Committee will be adopted by the
Commission in the coming days by accelerated written procedure. The Decision
will remain in force until 25 August and the Commission intends to call a
further meeting of the Standing Committee on 23 August to review the evolution
of the disease situation and the Decision.